t eanc 0 VOL. 44, NO.5· Friday, February 4, 2000
FALL RIVER DIOCESAN NEWSPAPER FOR SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS
FALL RIVER, MASS.
Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly • $14 Per Year
Diocesan pilgrims brave cold and snow ~
Hearty contingent of youth cheerily endured sleeping on floors, chilly climes and long hours on a wintry bus ride.
FALL RIVER - Each of the 350. Pro-Life pilgrims from the Fall River Diocese carried away his or her spiritual memories from the Jan. 23 through 25 trek and March for Life encounter witnessed in chilly, Washington, D.C., and a tiring, snowy bus ride back. The group that included more than 175 young people jammed onto five buses as they answered the call of the Pro-Life Apostolate to join Bishop Sean P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., as he led his 27th annual trip to the Nation's capital to show solidarity in battling again·st the dreaded Roe v. Wade decision making abortion legal in the United States. Christina Zajac, a sophomore at Bishop Stang High School made her stand clear. "The march was a wonderful experience and I look forward to continue going until Roe v. Wade is overturned." Meghan Fitzgerald, also of Bishop Stang, said that when she decided to go, "I didn't realize that we would be sleeping on the floor or staying out in the cold for so long. When I thought of the sacrifice I was making for the babies, I knew it was all worth it." Coyle an,d Cassidy High School Senior Erik Silvia related his wonder. "To walk with hundreds of thousands of people, of all different ages, rallying for this one cause, was an unbelievable experience." For Superintendent of Diocesan Schools James McNamee, it was his first time on the pilgrimage. "I was honored
Archbishop Foley lauds Catholic press ~
Catholic news publications across the world observing February as Catholic Press Month By CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE
BISHOP SEAN P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., and Father Stephen A. Fernandes, director of the diocesan Pro-Life Office, are flanked by young people from throughout the Diocese of Fall River at the March For Life in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 24. Banners from Corpus Christi Parish in East Sandwich and Holy Trinity Parish in West Harwich can been seen amidst the marchers. (Photo by Madeleine Lavoie) to attend. I opted to go as a chaperone and went on the buses with the students and slept on the floors. Being my first march, I was moved by the peaceful nature of the marchers and the diversity of age of the participants. The youth of the country were outstanding; they are the future of all our labors." Fathers Michael Kuhn and Hernando Herrera of the Youth Apostles; Bishop Turn to page 13 - Pilgrims
Mass. court decision draws fire By JAMES N. DUNBAR AND CNS REPORTS
BOSTON - A Massachusetts court opinion that buffer zones around abortion clinics are constitutional finds fired up Catholic agencies' officials protesting. "It is a defeat for the First Amend. ment and a victory for a powerful special interest," said C,J. Doyle, executive director of the state's Catholic Action League. He made the comments about an advisory opinion issued by the Massachusetts' Supreme Judicial Court.on proposed legislation mandating 25-foot buffer zones around the clinics. "While we abhor violence in any form, this bill goes too far by targeting peaceful types of speech, prayer Turn to page 11 - Court
RONKONKOMA, N.Y.- The Catholic press provides something that other media cannot offer, said the head of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications at the Vatican. In a message for this year's observance of Catholic Press Month during February, Archbishop John P. Foley said that despite his appreciation for all Catholic communication efforts, he has a special place in his heart for the Catholic press - "for its newspapers, magazines and books, because they offer a word which can be savored and shared." The archbishop acknowledged that the spoken word can have a great impact, "but that word can often be forgotten and lost forever." But the written word, he said, "endures Turn to page 13 - Press
World Day for Consecrated Life is Sunday FALL RIVER - Members of religious congregations, orders and societies will renew their vows Sunday at 3 p.m., in St. Mary's Cathedral as the Fall River Diocese observes World Day for Consecrated Life. On this third annual celebration of religious in the diocese, Bishop Sean P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., will be the principal celebrant of the Mass and homilist. Mercy Sister Elaine Heffernan, episcopal representative to religious and coordinator of the celebration, invites the public to assist at the liturgy and to relive their fond recollections of religious brothers, sisters and priests who served them throughout the years. Representatives for the various religious communities are expected to attend. Currently there are approximately 550 religious women and men serving in many ministries throughout the diocese. The observance of World Day for Consecrated Life had initially been slated by Pope John Paul II for February 2, the feast of the Presentation of Our Lord. Because that fell on a weekday, dioceses were allowed to opt for a more widespread observance on the weekend, and that is what is. being done in the Fall River Diocese, said Sister Heffernan.